Mortal Kombat
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Source: Warner Bros. Games/ NetherRealm Studios / Mortal Kombat 1: Khaos Reigns / Cyrax
Mortal Kombat 1: Khaos Reigns is the first major update coming to MK1, and some gamers are BIG MAD that two popular characters have been gender-swapped, and of them are Black.
In Mortal Kombat 1, thanks to the efforts of Fire God Lui Kang, the sacred timeline was reset, ushering in a new era of peace and making some changes to the characters we know from previous games.
In the latest trailer delivered by NetherRealm Studios, we see those specifically with the two popular cyber ninjas, Cyrax and Sektor.
The first trailer since the expansion’s announcement at San Diego Comic-Con follows Cyrax, one of the six new playable characters joining the already expansive roster of fighters.
This version of Cyrax is a Black woman. She is a young Lin Kuei warrior from the Zaki clan whose skills are second to none, earning her the honor of donning a cyber suit. She also has the honor of serving directly under Sektor, who has been gender-swapped this time.
Unlike Sektor, Cyrax serves Lin Kuei and her grandmaster, Sub-Zero, on her own terms, which doesn’t sit well with her mentor.
While giving us her backstory, the trailer also shows off Cyrax’s impressive moveset, fatality, and animality and should be received as just another trailer to get us excited for the Mortal Kombat 1: Khaos Reign’s expansion, right?
Wrong.
Of course, some folks are losing their sh*t at the fact that both Cyrax and Sektor are no longer men. One person in particular hopped on X, formerly Twitter, to complain about Cyrax showing her face and being Black.
This Is Not The First Time Cyrax Was Black
Hilariously, folks, we’re quick to remind him that another version of Cyrax took the mask off, revealing himself as a Black man GASP.
There is even a website calling the decision a “woke disaster” and alleging that the Montreal-based consultation studio Sweet Baby Inc. was behind the decision to change Cyrax and Sektor in Mortal Kombat 1.
These people seriously need to go outside and touch grass.
Social media has been clowning the folks who are mad about Cyrax and Sektor’s changes; you can see those reactions in the gallery below.
2. Exactly
3. Lol, bingo
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Source: Warner Bros. Games / NetherRealm Studios / Mortal Kombat 1 / Shang Tsung
It has begun. Mortal Kombat 1 is days away, and the latest launch trailer gives us more clues about the game’s new story, a look at sorcerer turned snake oil salesman, Shang Tsung’s moves, and more.
A new launch trailer has arrived ahead of Mortal Kombat 1’s September 19 release September 14 for those with early access. In it, we get more story beats about what’s going on in Fire God Lui Kang’s new world he made following the events of Mortal Kombat 11: Aftermath.
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A previous trailer revealed a younger Shang Tsung will return in Mortal Kombat 1. Still, he is no longer the formidable soul-stealing, shapeshifting sorcerer we have known him to be for many iterations of the iconic fighting game franchise, but a down-on-his-luck snake oil salesman.
His fortune changes when MK 11’s main villain, Kronika, shows up, offering him a chance to restore himself to his former glory. Well, somehow, he gets his ability to launch his signature fireballs, or flaming skulls, and shapeshift into other Kombatants.
The trailer also shows some gameplay footage of Reiko, who is described as General Shao’s second in command and is “the savage warrior with a fighting style that matches his fierce persona, as well as bone-krushing highlights of other launch roster fighters.”
Accessibility Features Are Coming To Mortal Kombat 1
Additionally, Warner Bros. / NetherRealm Studios announced additional accessibility options for the game, like audio descriptions, cues for on-screen action, and much more, which you can learn about here.
Welcome to the New Era. Will you fight for peace, or embrace the khaos? #MK1 pic.twitter.com/3RexJuvyoP
— Mortal Kombat 1 (@MortalKombat) September 12, 2023
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Mortal Kombat 1 punches and kicks onto PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC (Steam and Epic Games Store) on September 19, 2023.
Shang Tsung will be available as a playable character if you hit the pre-order button.
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Photo: Warner Bros. Games / NetherRealm Studios / Mortal Kombat 1
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Source: Warner Bros. Games/ NetherRealm Studios / Mortal Kombat 1 / Jean-Claude Van Damme
It’s a complete full circle moment for legendary action film star gymnast Jean-Claude Van Damme (Bloodsport, Kickboxer) and the Mortal Kombat video game franchise.
It only took 30 years, but Jean-Claude Van Damme is finally where he belongs in Mortal Kombat.
Van Damme’s appearance in the game was already known, but today marks the first time we see him in action in Mortal Kombat 1.
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Unlike his fellow Hollywood brethren Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallon, who appeared in Mortal Kombat 11 as DLC characters, Van Damme is a skin for MK OG Johnny Cage, and his likeness and voice are in the game.
This Is A Reunion 30 Years In The Making
Van Damme has a long history with the world of fighting video games. Mortal Kombat creator Ed Boon revealed on a recent episode of First We Feast’s popular show Hot Ones that he originally wanted to make a video game starring Van Damme before making Mortal Kombat.
Conversations between Van Damme’s team and Boon’s crew never amounted to anything. Eventually, Van Damme would star in one of the worst video game movie adaptations ever, Street Fighter, and star in the even worst fighting game based on the film.
In the trailer, Van-Damme makes a hilarious Street Fighter reference in a pre-fight scene.
He finally gets to redeem himself with his appearance in Mortal Kombat 1, and it’s pretty fitting because, honestly, we all knew Johnny Cage was based on his character from Bloodsport.
Jean-Claude Van Damme skin for Johnny Cage will be available at launch as part of the first Kombat Pack, alongside early access to six new downloadable content (DLC) playable characters – Quan Chi, Ermac, Takeda Takahashi, Peacemaker, Omni-Man, and Homelander (all available post-launch) – and five new Kameo Fighters (available post-launch).
We hope Ed Boon and the crew even sneak in some of Van Damme’s other looks from his other “classic” films.
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Photo: Warner Bros. Games/ NetherRealm Studios / Mortal Kombat 1
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Source: Warner Bros. Games/ NetherRealm Studios / Mortal Kombat 1/ Megan Fox
Actress Megan Fox is bringing her talents to the world of video games and is the latest big name to join in on the fun that is Mortal Kombat 1.
Fresh off the release of the “It’s Your Blood Trailer” starring Dave Bautista, NetherRealm Studios and Warner Bros. Games announced Megan Fox will be the voice and face of Nitara, the vampire heroine and latest main roster fighter coming to the fighting game.
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In a statement about being a part of Mortal Kombat 1, Fox said, “I grew up playing Mortal Kombat, and I can’t believe that I’m voicing a character in the new game.” “It’s an honor to be a part of one of the greatest video game legacies of all time.”
As for Nitara, she first burst on the scene in Mortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance; in those games, she is described as “self-serving” rather than an outright villain and fights to separate her realm from Outworld.
Per Warner Bros. Games, she “hails from the dark and desolate realm of Vaeternus, and fights to protect her race of vampires and utilizes her ferocious claws, razor-sharp fangs, and aerial abilities to take on any opponent in her path.”
What also remains the same is that Nitara still requires blood to live, and she is still a deadly foe.
The Fighters So Far In Mortal Kombat 1
Nitara joins Liu Kang, Scorpion, Sub-Zero, Raiden, Kung Lao, Kitana, Mileena, Shang Tsung, Johnny Cage, Kenshi, Smoke, Rain, Li Mei, Tanya, Baraka, Geras, Reptile, Ashrah, Havik, General Shao, Sindel, Nitara, and more who all have new backstories thanks to Fire God Lui Kang rebooting the timeline.
Mortal Kombat 1 launches on Xbox Series S | X, PS5, and Nintendo Switch on September 19.
Step into the Nitara announcement trailer featuring Megan Fox below.
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Photo: Warner Bros. Games/ NetherRealm Studios / Mortal Kombat 1
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Source: Warner Bros. Games/ NetherRealm Studios / Mortal Kombat 1 / Dave Bautista
Mortal Kombat 1 will serve as a reboot for the fighting game franchise, so it makes sense that the 1993 classic ad that loudly announced the game was coming to home consoles also gets a remix.
Tuesday, NetherRealm Studios and Warner Bros. Games dropped the “It’s In Your Blood” trailer starring WWE Hall-of-Famer and Hollywood star and producer Dave Bautista.
The new launch spot directed by Tom Kuntz with cinematography by Academy Award nominee Matthew Libatique (A Star Is Born) pays homage to the iconic 1993 “Mortal Monday” commercial spot that became a cultural moment.
In the “It’s In Your Blood” spot, Bautista takes on the role of amassing people from all walks of life, awakening their inner power, and unleashing the fight within.
Bautista takes cues from Lui Kang in Mortal Kombat 1, who is now the Fire God and protector of Earth Realm. Following the events of Mortal Kombat, 11 has created a new timeline and must gather warriors to protect the new world he has built in his vision.
Dave Bautista Reflects On Classic Mortal Monday Commercial
“I vividly remember the original Mortal Monday commercial, especially the iconic scream,” said Bautista. “That’s what started my journey as a fan of Mortal Kombat, which continues to this day 30 years later. I’m very thrilled and honored to be a part of the game’s legacy.”
“The original Mortal Monday commercial earmarked the beginning of our journey into making games for home gaming systems,” said Ed Boon, Chief Creative Officer, NetherRealm Studios and Co-Creator of Mortal Kombat. “It’s amazing to pay homage to such a memorable moment in Mortal Kombat history as we get ready to launch our newest game, Mortal Kombat 1.”
Mortal Kombat 1 launches on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC (Steam & Epic Games Store) on Sept. 19.
You can peep the “It’s In Our Blood Trailer” below.
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Photo: Warner Bros. Games/ NetherRealm Studios / Mortal Kombat 1
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